Baldi turri



A. L. COTTON & J. S. WICKING. TELEPHONE INSTRUMENT'. APPLICATION FILED MAY lo. 1915.

1 1 94, 95 9. Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR LLEWELLYN COTTON, 0F BRUNSWICK, AND JOI-IN STANLEY WICKING, OF

OAKLEIGH, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO GEORGE GARI- BALDI TURRI, OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.

TELEPHONE INSTRUMENT.

Application filed May 10, 1915.

T 0 all whom t may 0071007191.:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR LLEWELLYN CoTTox, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., residing at Bruns wick, in the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, and JOHN STANLEY lViciiiNs, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., residing at Oakleigh, in the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Telephone Instruments; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the SIHG.

This invention relates to the construction and use of subscribers7 station telephone instruments or sets, other than magneto telephones, the latter having now become largely superseded.

One object of the invention is to provide that when the subscriber or user removes a key by which he will have opened a control switch, operating as a lockout device, the instrument will cease to be in a condition to transmit, but will remain in a condition to be rung from an exchange and allow the usual conversation connected with receiving a call. To conduct the conversation the user w-ill remove the receiver from its switch hook and speak just as usual. So long as the control switch is left open, the instru-- meut will be able only to receive calls, and

at the close of each resulting conversation the user replaces the receiver on its hook as usual. It' it is wished to originate a message from the telephone the control switch must` be closed by the key, or the like.

The invention allows a subscriber to be absent with the control switch opened, so that persons who have access to the telephone, and who are unauthorized to send messages, will not be able to do so, as they would be able to do with the most commonly used instruments. YVhere calls have to be paid for according to their number, a considerable amount of expense may thus be prevented; it is also possible to keep a better check on the exchange account, and a considerable amount of the time of clerks and others may in various cases be saved, so that working etliciently is promoted. Y

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

Serial No. 27,178.

Control keys without the advantages of the present invention have hitherto been employed on instruments using the common battery system, which this invention uses, their chief defect being that in the absence or' the key, messages could be neither sent nor received, the result being too great a curtailment of the telephones utility. For although a person may have no authority to originate messages and it may be important to prevent him, yet it is frequently important that there shall be no hindrance to the bell being rung from the exchange, and messages being received and noted, and given such answer as could be done bei-'ore replacing the receiver on its hook. In such cases the subscriber is not required to pay according to the number of messages received, and the matters telephoned about could be dealt with further in due course, so that smooth business working would be conduced to.

By the adoption of the present improvements,.the separation of the various telephone instruments in an establishment into two classes will often be convenient; namely receiving telephones (those used mainly for receiving only, that is, except when the control switch is closed); and those used for both sending and receiving, or mainly for sending only. In this way some of those operating telephones (such as employers and managers) would have those of the latter class in their rooms, and others (such as subordinate employees) could be in charge of controlled instruments. If the key be not taken out of reach, any change in the instrument could be readily effected as circumstances required.

Various telephone devices which have been proposed have not come in usebecause ot the extra attention they would entail at the exchange (such as reporting a subscriber as D. N. A.-does not answer,-to the repair department) or by subscribers, `or the extra power they would consume; but the present invention does not require such attention in the telephone exchange, and requires scarcely any special attention from the subscriber, and does not produce current difliculties.

The instruments to which this inventio relates vary in design and range of function, but in regard to the numerous existing instruments Western Electric pattern, and

some others, these may be inexpensively and quickly fitted with this invention by making some alterations and additions. The alterations include the breaking of the ringing circuit at a point in series thereof, as between the condenser and the bell; and the removal of the conductor in the transmitting circuit which extends from the transmitter to the switch hook contacts. These changes may be made and the new parts mentioned later added in the space available in the ordinary box or cabinet which contains the present telephone apparatus, and the only diiference in appearance from those instruments which have no control key may be that key control switch parts may be in view. These parts however can if desired be located out of view. d

The present construction also includes the provision of an electro-magnet or the like (for exampleJ a solenoid) and mechanical devices connected with its working, and electric circuits; which will now be explained by the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Figure l shows diagrammatically the parts which may be used, the switch hook being supposed to be in the position taken when the control switch is open, and the instrument is at rest. Fig. 2 shows the positions of some of the parts immediately the bell of the telephone instrument has been rung from the exchange, so giving the subscriber a call, this being before the receiver is removed. Fig. 3 shows the position of various parts immediately the receiver has been removed, and also while conversation is pro -eeding Fig. l shows the arrangement of the control switch when the instrument is set to act as an ordinary telephone does, to allow calls to be both received and issued. Fig. 5 shows how that form of the electro-magnet known as a solenoid can be used.

In these drawings a is the usual conductor from the exchange to the transmitter and c is the switch hook, which is ordinarily pivoted. Its outer end carries the removable receiver m, and on removing the latter the outer end ordinarily rises, and thus the inner end, which is provided with a tripping linger, or the like, c1, descends. This position is indicated by Fig. 3.

02 is one of the conductors from wire x1 (from the receiver) to the switch hook contacts, while from the other wire there is the known conductor y.

g is the bell device, and 71. the condenser.

The return conducting means include Wire CZ, which is the usual conductor from the contacts of hook c to the induction coils e,- and f, f1 are the conductors from part e to the exchange.

It may be desirable to state here that the switch hook and its operation are only disclosed conventionally, with the inner end of the hook above the latching pawl and the outer end down, as shown in Figs. l and 2, when the receiver is on the hook, and reversely in Fig. 3, when the receiver is olf of the hook, but of course it will be understood that this is only diagrammatic, and where the usual pivoted switch hook is employed, the arrow heads, indicating contact points, on the conducting wires c2 and (Z would be disposed above the switch hoo arm, instead of below as shown.

The ordinary ringing circuit between parts ZL and g being broken as aforesaid or being omitted, this invention provides respective conductor-sz', j, by which the ringing circuit traverses, as shown by plain arrows, the wiring of the small electro-magnet Z0 (or the solenoid K) having an armature Z (or core L). The arma-ture may be pivoted at Z1.

The electro-magnet will be energized when the exchange makes a call, or causes a preliminary ring by the telephone bell, and the armature l will be attracted to the position in Fig. 2. There is any suitable means to hold the armaturenow closed; as a locking pawl n provided with a tooth al.. lV hen the armature is closing to the position of Fig. 2, it raises and passes the pawl tooth al, which may be pivoted, as at a2, to the insulated metallic part 0 of the electro-magnet support, but the pawl immediately drops again and holds the armature l in its closed position. The bell having rung, the receiver m will naturally at this stage be removed from its switch hook, and a speaking circuit will now be established, whereby telephonie conversation may proceed, the current passing as next explained, namely through a wire p which is provided connecting the transmitter b to the pawl a as through part 0 (or so that the current will pass through the ar mature Z) and a wire Q connecting the armature, or supporting frame work Z2, to the switch hook contacts. Z3 is insulation between the aforesaid parts Z2 and 0, and ZL partly illustrates a spring, in Fig. l, tending to return the armature Z to its open position, or this may be accomplished by gravity. rlhe speaking circuit, thus traced, does not pass through the lockout, and is autoinatically completed, from the exchange only and never locally, to receive and answer calls only. The normally interrupted or broken transmitter circuit, including the armature Z itself as a circuit controller element through which the current passes, may be emphasized as an important variation from previous structures, wherein a conducting wire leads direct from the transmitter to its contact with the receiver switch hook. The switch hook contact circuits through the wire Z and the wire c2 operate as usual when the receiver is off of its hook, and during conversation over the auxiliary transmitter circuit, the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 3, relatively to Fig. 2. The conversation having ended, when the receiver is hung on the switch hook, the parts assume the relative positions designated in Fig. l. During the return movement, a tripping finger c1, suitably pivoted on the hook c, has engaged beneath the tooth al, raising and passing the pawl n, thus releasing the armature Z, which is then returned to its open position by gravity or the spring Z4. The instrument, therefore, regains that setting which allows only the exchange to call, as if, without receiving a call, the receiver be taken off of its hook, the armature Z remains unmoved, and no conversation may be had with the exchange.

In using a solenoid having a core L, the latter is provided with a part L1 which when the coil is energized rises with the core, and moves past or engages a limb of a locking pawl N, shown pivoted as at U2 to suitably insulated framing 0. The pawl has limbs N1, il so that (there being such conducting wires as z', j, p, and Q, already explained) until the pawl is moved to free the limb N1 from the raised solenoid core, the latter' cannot return. This raised position of core is reached as soon as the bell of the telephone is rung from the exchange, so that the person attending to the telephone will remove the receiver and conversation will proceed, the speaking circuit being through the core, and other parts already explained with reference to Fig. l. The switch hook inner end will take the dotted position in Fig. 5 when the receiver is removed. Then by its projection c1 resuming the position shown by iirm lines, when the receiver is replaced, the pawl N will be tripped clear of the core and allow thc core to return to its unenergired position,-by gravity, or spring aid, or the like,and this return breaks the speaking circuit. The mechanical arrangements of the solenoid details, and the parts operated by the core may be varied in obvious ways, while keeping to this invention.

zu are the terminals of the second receiver or ear piece of the telephone instrument, having conductors ai, m1,' and y, y1 are wires of the ordinary local,receiver circuit.

is bridging; and E represents a terminal which is optionally usable to earth.

rlhe lockout or key controlled switch used in this invention has any suitable parts as 1', r1, the switch being closed by moving a member s, with any suitable key or handle t, so that the position of Fig. el is produced. The result is that by means of wires u, fu, which are also provided, a speaking circuit is formed which is usable for message originating purposes (to call up the exchange) and which will act while the aforesaid eircuit through the armature Z is broken. This is the case because the wire u connects to the switch hook contacts, and the wire o to the transmitter. To use this circuit to originate messages, the receiver need only (in the manner customary in ordinary telephone practice) be taken from its hook.

It does not matter what obvious variation of detail be used for the switch hook, pawl, armature and electromagnet, or control switch so long as mattei' be retained which is within the scope of the ensuing claims.

From the foregoing description and the drawings, it will be seen that we entirely avoid the use of numerous spring contact members, which are especially undesirable in the speaking circuits, as they are so liable to frequently get out of proper adjustment, and thus vitally impair the usefulness of the instrument. But outside of this and the extreme simplicity of our arrangement and its positive operation at all times and under all normal conditions, it is also important to observe that the ringing circuit not only functions in the dual capacity of a call signaling means and a means (through the coil of the electro-magnetic device) to immediately set the instrument for conversa- "tion upon initial signaling, but also it is important to note that the ringing circuit is quite independent of the receiver or the transmitter circuits, and the winding of its electro-magnet is never in series with the speaking circuit, as isthe case in other systems, which winding or coil must necessarily offer considerable impedance to the rapid alternations of the voice currents, thus tending to damp down the speaking values, and make it more ditlicult to hear distinctly.

In some cases, so that strangers, and absent minded subscribers, may note whether the instrument is or is not at the moment so controlled as to prevent calls being originated, there may be any suitable notiiication exhibited in convenient view. Thus the words :-Set to receive messages only may appear; and if desired another notification may at the proper time be indicated by the words z-Set to receive and send messages. One of these notifications may be on a card or plate covering the other, but movable away, behind a screen, to expose the other at proper times. The upper notification could be moved by being attached to member s of the control switch. But the exclusive use Of any such optional notification on the telephone, to explain its condition to users, is not herein claimed.

It will also be understood that, while in the drawings we have illustrated the usual bells g as a call signaling means in the specification and claims, where the terms ringing circuit or ringing current, or analogous expressions are used, the same are intended to cover an incoming call signaling means, including any suitable type of signal device, whether it be a bell or other form of audible signal, or a vis al signal.

'Sin

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is l. A telephone instrument including a receiver and a transmitter in circuit with leadin and lead-out line conductors, the transmitting circuit containing a circuit controller normally held open, but operable from eX- change to close said transmitter circuit, means mechanically operating to positively lock said controller immediately upon its being moved to its closed position, and means actuated to release said locking means, for restoring said normally open transmitter circuit, as desired.

2. A telephone instrument including a re` ceiver and a transmitter in circuit with leadin and lead-out line conductors, the transmitting circuit containing a unitary opera-ting circuit controller element, normally maintained open, means for closing said controller element from exchange, consisting of a circuit traversing` the winding of a suitable electro-magnet, means independent of said electro-magnet for positively locking said element against displacement immediately upon its having been moved to its closed position, and means for releasing said locking means.

3. A telephone instrument including a receiver and a transmitter in circuit with lead-in and lead-out line conductors, the transmitter circuit containing a circuit controller normally held open, a ringing circuit independent of connections through the receiver or transmitter circuits, coperating means actuating said controller, through said ringing circuit, to close said controller and transmitter circuit upon the lirst signaling impulse, means simultaneously operated to automatically and positively lock said controller when so actuated, and means for releasing said positive locking means.

4:. A telephone instrument including a receiver and a transmitter in circuit with leadin and lead-out line conductors, an electromagnetic device, the windings of which are never directly or indirectly in circuit with the speaking lines of the instrument, and the armature of which :functions as a circuit controller normally maintaining said transmitter circuit open, a ringing circuit traversing the winding of said electro-magnetic device, whereby said controller is actuated by the first ringing impulse current, and closes said transmitter circuit, means for positively holding said controller closed,

tors, a transmitting circuit interrupter, com` prising a pair of members insulated from each other and in respective electrical connection with said transmitter and the other of said line conductors, a controller element movably supported by one of said members in a position normally out of engagement with the other of said members, and locking means carried by the other said member and adapted to be automatically engaged by said controller element and positively hold the same against displacement when operated to close the transmitter circuit, means for actuating said controller element from exchange to close said transmitter circuit, and means for releasing said locking means as desired.

6. A telephone instrument including a lead-in and a lead-out line conductor, a switch contact hook, a receiver disposed in a line with said conductors and adapted to be hung on said hook and normally hold the line open, a transmitter disposed in a line with said conductors through a normally open circuit controller operable from eX- change to close same, locking means automatically engaged by said controller, in locking relation, immediately upon said controller being moved to its closed position, and tripping means carried by said switch hook adapted to opera-tively engage and release said locking means, and restore said normally open transmitter circuit when the receiver is replaced on the switch hook.

7. In a telephone, in means for producing a speaking circuit, an electro-magnet having an armature element adapted to be moved, and held by a latching element, and a switch hook adapted to be so set, when the receiver is removed, that when the latter is replaced a member provided on the switch hook will move the said latching element, which will release the armature to break the circuit therethrough.

S. A telephone instrument having a switch control hook, a receiver adapted to be hung on said switch hook and in circuit with the line conductors through said switch hook, a ringing circuit, including a signal device, and traversing the winding of a suitable type of electro-magnet, a` transmitter in circuit with the line conductors through the armature of said electro-magnet, said armature being normally maintained open but functioning to close the transmitter circuit, when actuated by an impulse over the ringing circuit energizing said electro-magnet, a pivoted latch engaging said armature when closed for locking same in its closed position, and a pivoted inger mounted on the switch hook for engaging said latch and releasing said armature upon the replacement ot' said receiver on the switch hook.

9. In a telephone instrument employing a lockout mechanism in its primary transmit- CIJ ter line, the combination of a branch transmitter line, a circuit controller included in said branch line, normally maintained open, said branch line and controller being independent of any element of said lockout mechanism, a ringing circuit from exchange, a suitable type of electro-magnet energized through said ringing circuit to close said controller and branch transmitter line, means simultaneously operated with the closing of said controller to automatically and positively lock said controller closed upon the lirst signaling impulses over said ringing circuit, for setting the instrument for instant conversation, and means Jfor releasing said positive locking means as desired.

l0. In a telephone instrument employing a lockout mechanism in its primary transmitter line, the combination of a branch transmitter line, an electro-magnetic device, the windings of which are never directly or indirectly in circuit with the speaking lines of the instrument, a circuit controller included in said branch line, normally maintained open, and closed by said electro-magnetic device upon the latter being energized, a ringing circuit traversing the winding of said electro-magnetic device, whereby said controller is actuated to its closed position by the initial impulses of the ringing current, means independent of said electromagnetic device simultaneously operated to positively lock said controller against displacement, when so actuated, for setting the instrument for instant conversation, and means for releasing said locking means, permitting said controller to return to its normal open position.

ll. ln a telephone instrument employing a lockout mechanism in its primary transmitter line, the combination of a branch transmitter line, leading from the transmitter to the switch contact hook of the instrument, and being independent of any element of said lockout mechanism, a ringing circuit traversing the winding of a suitable type of an electro-magnet, the said winding being always out of line with the speaking circuits of the instrument, a circuit controller disposed in said branch transmitter line, normally maintained open but acted on by said electro-magnet as its armature,

whereby said controller is closed by the initial impulses through the ringing circuit, a trip latch operatively engaging said controller upon the latter being initially closed, and a tripping linger on said switch contact hook, operatively engaging said trip latch to release same by the movement of the switch hook when the receiver is replaced thereon after use.

l2. In a telephone instrument including a switch contact hook, a receiver adapted to be hung thereon, and a transmitter, the combination of a line conductor leading in to said transmitter; a line conductor leading from said switch hook; a primary transmitter line from said transmitter to said switch hook; a lockout arrangement in said primary transmitter line; a branch transmitter line leading from said transmitter directly to said switch hook through a circuit interrupter, but independent of any element of said lockout arrangement, said circuit interrupter, comprising a pair of members insulated from each other, and spaced apart to form a support for an included electromagnet, one member being in electrical connection with said transmitter and the other with said outgoing line conductor, a controller pivotally supported by one of said members, and a latch pivotally mounted on the other of said members, and adapted to be automatically engaged by said controller when the latter is moved from its normally open position to its closed position to complete said branch transmitter line; a ringing circuit traversing the winding of said electro-magnet, operating to close said controller; a circuit for said receiver established through said switch hook upon removing the receiver therefrom; and a pivoted linger on said switch hook, adapted to pass said latch when the receiver is removed, and to operatively engage and trip said latch when the receiver is replaced on the hook.

In testimony whereof we aliiX our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR LLEWELLYN COTTON. JOHN STANLEY WICKING.

Vitnesses:

GEORGE G. TURRI, BEATRICE M. LOWE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

